Tatiana smiled as the doll stepped into the porch. 'Wow, you're an interesting one. I didn't know dolls could be built like that. Such bold markings too.' There was a pause, and her smiled faded. 'My sister always loved that shade of aqua blue.'
She shook her head and put it behind her. 'Come in!'
The doll followed her mistress inside. As they walked into the kitchen, Tatiana spoke again. 'Can I get you anyth-' she stopped and shook her head. 'Sorry, habit. You're not a visitor and you don't eat or drink anyway.'
The doll laughed. 'Mistress Karanova, I understand. I'm here for your needs and enrichment. Why don't I make you lunch?'
The blonde author nodded. 'That would be nice. My doctor keeps telling me I can't keep skipping meals. Please call me Tatiana though.'
The doll explored the kitchen, and found mostly takeout leftovers and condiments. One idea popped into mind. It wouldn't be fancy, but it would make an impression on her Mistress. With her perfect memory and enhanced senses, she would be able to recreate something from their childhood. The limited pantry and the neglected garden outside the window should provide everything needed.
A half hour later, the doll carried lunch into Mistress Tatiana's office - a sandwich and a bowl of soup.
'Thank you, this is all going to take some adjustment. I'm so used to living here alone and fending for myself. Will you need anything with living here? You can have the front bedroom for yourself.'
Tatiana started eating as the doll responded.
'No mistress, the Manufactory will be sending over everything I need, which isn't much more than a modified power washer for self cleaning and a tablet with a diagnostic scanner.'
Tatiana was now staring at the sandwich in her hands as the doll continued.
'I don't sleep, take breaks, or need any time to myself; so there is no need to dedicate a room for my use.'
Tatiana wasn't listening, tears filled her eyes.
'Mayo, not butter, to brown the bread. Bacon pan fried crispy, thin sliced tomato fried in the bacon grease. Crust cut off. Tomato soup with lots of fresh basil... When I was a little girl this is just what Grandma would make me when I was sick or sad. How? Just how??'
The doll simply smiled. 'I am here to enrich your life and to bring you happiness.'
This verbal dodge was for the greater good, the doll thought. Mistress does not know this doll was once human, let alone her twin sister. That knowledge should be held back until it's impact is better understood.
'With your permission, I would like to go grocery shopping so that I may better provide for you.'
Tatiana just nodded, lost in memories.
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They quickly fell into a routine. The doll would wake her mistress each morning with an exquisite breakfast. Anya had been a rather good cook in her own right, and the doll's perfect recall and heightened senses allowed her to effortlessly recreate the finest meals she had ever eaten in the thirty six years she had lived before being dolled.
By the third day, Tatiana allowed the doll to do her hair and make-up.
When not tending to her Mistress's direct needs, the doll began systematically cleaning up the house and grounds. This however was secondary to her real focus. At night the doll was reading every novel Tatiana had written, researching every review and critique. Her Mistress lived to write, and was under immense stress with the deadline for her next book and negative feedback from her editor. Even when weeding the garden, the doll's mind was free and focused on understanding her Mistress's creative process.
Late on the fifth night, the doll heard sobbing from upstairs.
The doll walked the dark hallway silently, and opened Tatiana's bedroom door without a sound.
The woman was in bed, under the covers, curled in a fetal position.
The doll knew what to do, and instinctively raised her skin and body temperature. Without a word, the leopard slid under the covers and slid behind her Mistress. She embraced the much smaller woman, spooning up behind her. The dolls breasts pressed against the back of Tatiana's neck and the tops of her shoulders.
'Don't cry Mistress, whatever is wrong you aren't alone anymore. I'm here to help you, with anything and everything.'
Tatiana relaxed at this, and pulled the leopard's arms tighter around her. 'You're so soft and warm, I never imagined that.'
As her Mistress drifted off into sleep, the doll was in heaven. The press of her Mistress against her skin and the knowledge that her touch and brought her former twin comfort fulfilled the doll in a way that Anya had never experienced.
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When morning came, the doll gracefully slipped out of bed without disturbing Tatiana, and woke her with breakfast as usual.
Nothing was said, but the next evening as Tatiana got into bed, she left the covers pulled back and smiled at the doll. The leopard warmed her skin and climbed into bed to cuddle and comfort all night.